By Adeyinka Adeniran
Following the expiration of a 7days ultimate issued the state government, residents affected by the Ibadan Circular Road Corridor project on Monday took to the street to stage a peaceful protest.
The residents in their thousands, carrying placards, banners and posters arrived the Ibadan end of the Ibadan-Ife Road at about 10AM causing a heavy gridlock in the axis.
The gridlock, within minutes sprang effect on the entire axis both into and out of the capital city, with commuters stranded for several hours.
Early birds at work were spared as those who had to get to work before 8AM had no issue using the road until they assemble around 10AM.
The residents who sang and shout loudly expressed their disagreement saying they would not succumb to the government’s plan to acquire more lands under the guise of Ibadan circular road corridor.
The protesters also blocked other major roads sending a signal to the government to drive home their intentions, while some were gathering at the State Secretariat.
Corenews.ng reports that the idea of Ibadan circular road was conceived when the current Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja when he was the governor of the state.
But the idea suffered a temporary set back owing to the illegal impeachment of Ladoja that robbed him of the second term opportunity in 2006.
ĺIt was learnt that Ladoja marked 150 metres for the construction of the road, but, the current governor, Seyi Makinde is planning to extend the number of metres for the circular road corridor, which will affect more houses and community lands.
Over a hundred communities which cuts across seven local governments including: Ido, Lagelu, Ona Ara, Akinyele, Oluyole and Egbeda, urged the state government to maintain the 150 metres already marked by Ladoja.
The protesters later marched on through Idi-Ape to join their counterparts at the State Secretariat, Agodi Ibadan, where the protest peaked.
The arrival of the protesters led to a temporary shut down of the Secretariat as the protesters were denied access. Visitors and those who have business interest suffered delay while the protest lasted.
The entrance gate which was manned by heavy security presence also saw increased presence of security patrol vans in strategic locations around the Secretariat.
One of the protesters, Akeem Olaiya said, “We are law abiding citizens. You can see that our protest is peaceful. What we need is very simple, it’s just for the State Government to maintain the 150 metres already marked by former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, now the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.”
Highpoint of the protest was when the protesters observed the afternoon prayers on the road, causing a total standstill and stoppage for vehicular movements.
While addressing the gathering the group coordinator, Prince Adeniyi Fasoye said the protest was not political and that no politician was teleguiding or sponsoring them against Governor Makinde.
He said, “We are not politicians. This peaceful mega rally is not politically-driven. We are protesting against extension of the corridor for the circular road.
We are appealing to the state government through the governor to leave the corridor alone. They should not extend it beyond the 150 meters already mapped out.”
The protesters who despersed around 4:30PM later vow to continue the protest until they get the attention of Governor Makinde.
Corenews.ng reports that, the protest was a fulfillment of the vow by the residents to take to the street which was issued a week ago during a press conference.
